Mafatlals still not persuaded to bury family dispute

Sheetal has sorted out her dispute with Atulya, his children Marushka and Varun, and sister Kunti Shah, but has failed to reach settlement with other members of the family.

Atulya had earlier tendered apology to Sheetal. Two days ago, the high court had asked Sheetal, Ajay and Gayatri to appear before the court and end the disputes by saying sorry to each other.

The division bench of justices V M Kanade and P D Kode today met Sheetal, Ajay and Gayatri in an attempt to persuade them to bury the hatchet.

However, after 40 minutes of discussion, the three were not able to resolve the dispute. The matter will now continue next week, said advocate Parvez Memon, Sheetal's lawyer.

According to Sheetal, her mother-in-law Madhuri, sister-in-law Gayatri and brother-in-law Ajay had been harassing her since 2008. "It is a question of my safety hence I want a written apology," Sheetal had told the court earlier.

But Gayatri's lawyers Rajendra Shirodkar and Sayaji Nangre said that she was willing to tender only an oral apology. Showing newspaper clippings, Shirodkar said the apology letters of Atulya, Marushka and Kunti had been published. "It is a question of our image also. We do not want it tarnished (by similar publication)," said Shirodkar.

Earlier this week, Sheetal, Atulya and his children, and sister Kunti signed settlement terms, following which all litigation between them comes to an end.

On a formal application by Sheetal, the court today quashed the criminal complaint filed against her by Marushka, alleging theft of paintings from the Mafatlal bungalow. As part of the consent terms, Sheetal gets to keep the paintings.

Atulya has filed application for quashing of similar complaint against him by Sheetal. The court will pass order on the application on August 13.